TIAC Calls for Harmonization of Border Processes at Canada-U.S. Border Discussion in Washington

posted on January 24, 2013

A bilateral approach that facilitates the safe and efficient movement of people across the Canada-U.S. border is essential in the modern global economy – That’s the message TIAC President and CEO David Goldstein brought to a progressive panel discussion on border policy in Washington D.C. last month.

The panel, titled A Safe and Smart Border, was held at the Woodrow Wilson Center and featured economists and authors Christopher Sands and Laura Dawson as well as representatives from a variety of export sectors on both sides of the 49th parallel.

While much of the emphasis in Beyond the Border initiatives has focused on the movement of tangible goods across our common frontier, Goldstein concentrated his remarks on the expedited but secure movement of people.

Goldstein called for the expansion of trusted traveler programs such as the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) program and the wider use of technology and information sharing between our governments. Such initiatives would help create a border that is both safe and fluid under a common North American perimeter.

“The Passport and Visa are 19th century instruments for assessing risk,” said Goldstein. “From our perspective, it makes better sense [to use Electronic Travel Authorization] to do all the risk assessment and mitigation before someone gets on the plane.”